A26892:6518
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Part 3 › Question 56: Quest. 56. Is any Form of Church Government of Divine Institution
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Answ. 1. Hath Christ no Law but the Law of Nature? Wherein then differ the Christian Religion and the Heathenish? 2. Suppose but Christ to be Christ, and man to be what he is, and Nature it self will tell us that this is the fittest way for ordering the Worship of God: For Nature saith, God must be solemnly and ordinarily worshipped, and that qualified persons should be the official Guides in the performance: And that people who need such conduct and private oversight besides, should where they live have their own stated Overseers.
Object. But particular Congregations are not de primaria intentione divina: For if the whole world could join together in the public Worship of God, no doubt that would be properly a Church: But particular Congregations are only accidental, in reference to Gods intention of having a Church, because of the Impossibility of all mens joining together for Ordinances, &c.
Object. But particular Congregations are not de primaria intentione divina: For if the whole world could joyn together in the publick Worship of God, no doubt that would be properly a Church: But particular Congregations are only accidental, in reference to Gods intention of having a Church, because of the Impossibility of all mens joyning together for Ordinances, &c.
Answ. 1. The question with me is not whether they be of primary Intention, but whether stated Churches headed with their proper Bishops or Pastors be not of Gods institution in the Scripture?